Apply for First Amendment recognition

Applications are now available for this year’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award (FAPFA).

In its 16th year, FAPFA recognition is designed to identify and recognize high schools that actively support and protect First Amendment rights of their students and teachers. The honor focuses on press freedoms.

The application can be completed by using a SurveyGizmo form. Deadline for submission is Dec. 15, 2015. One adviser and one student editor have to submit entries for Round 1.

Schools will be recognized at the 2015 Spring National JEA/NSPA High School Journalism Convention in Los Angeles.

To be recognized by JEA, NSPA and Quill and Scroll, schools must successfully complete two rounds of questions about the degree of First Amendment Freedoms student journalists have and how the school recognizes and supports the First Amendment. Entries will be evaluated by members of these organizations.

As in previous years, high schools will compete for the title by first answering questionnaires directed to an adviser and at least one editor; those who advance to the next level will be asked to provide responses from the principal and advisers and student editors/news directors of all student media.

In Round 2, semifinalists will submit samples of the publications and their printed editorial policies.